Republicans seem to think they can get away with almost anything because their Election Day hopes will be saved by a bad economy. But the people they attack know the Tea Party's history of cynical, culture-war attacks that deeply affect the lives of real people. We have our eyes wide open.

Long life and lots of experience have taught me that nobody ever changes their mind about abortion. But to put a face, or at least a name, on the subject, here's a story: Fifty-three years ago when I was 16, I had an abortion.

The sponsors of every one of these anti-abortion and anti-contraception bills says they aren't trying to stop abortion, but instead are just trying to make women more "aware" of what is happening in their wombs, and what will happen if they undergo an abortion.

We must find ways to have a civil dialogue that balances the needs and rights of women. When all sides can come together in reason, committed to caring for every person on this planet, maybe we'll make some headway on this issue.

Alaska has become the latest state to fall victim to the Republican War on Women. One legislator even wants women to get a permission slip signed by the man who impregnated her before she can have an abortion.

Every child deserves to be wanted, safe and loved. I don't deny there are damaged women out there who use abortion as a means of birth control. A former friend had five abortions. Those pregnancies were her cry for help. But I can't help thinking those babies were better off not being in her care.

Given that the number of unborn is currently unknown, it could reach the trillions -- or gazillions -- and should all those unborn give their grateful loyalty upon birth (should it occur) to the religious far right, the Republican Party could overwhelm elections through eternity.

The right is staging an all-out assault on women's rights while they have control of the majority of state legislatures, the House and a determined minority in the Senate. The GOP's presidential candidates are promising to join it if they get elected. We can't let them succeed.

With a series of anti-choice and anti-contraception laws on the books in various southern and midwestern states, the Republican Party is hastily constructing an ideological and legislative Berlin Wall around itself, and Rick Santorum has become the latest poster boy.